Pandas arrive in Washington DC
Supreme Court tosses out decision letting 18-year-olds carry guns during emergencies in Pennsylvania
Israel asks its defence sector to help foil drone attacks
Israel inflation eases to 3.5% in September but stays above target
Austrian conservatives again rule out far-right alliance after leaders meet
For Johnny and Matthew: Blue Jackets to play their home opener with Gaudreaus in mind
Plans announced for a second Sphere entertainment venue
South Carolina ranked No. 1 in women's AP Top 25 preseason poll with UConn, USC, Texas and UCLA next
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council called Friday for a halt to fighting in Sudan and the protection of civilians.
The brief press statement followed closed consultations by the U.N.’s most powerful body.
The council also called for the scaling up of humanitarian assistance to Sudan and neighboring countries, support for humanitarian workers, and respect for international humanitarian law.
Sudan descended into conflict in mid-April after months of worsening tensions exploded into open fighting between rival generals seeking to control the African nation. The war pits the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary force commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
A three-day cease-fire brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia expired Wednesday morning and a protest group and residents said clashes resumed between the army and the paramilitary force in and around the capital, Khartoum.
The conflict has been centered largely in the capital and western Sudan’s Darfur region, which have seen ethnically motivated attacks on non-Arab communities by the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, according to U.N. officials.
The fighting has killed thousands of people and forced more than 2.5 million people to flee their homes to safer areas in Sudan and neighboring countries, according the U.N. migration agency.
The U.N. said Thursday that in the two months after the conflict began, some 85 humanitarian groups reached 2.8 million people across Sudan with vital assistance, including food, water, health services, education, sanitation, hygiene, non-food supplies and protection services.
"Partners are delivering medical supplies and providing support to health facilities that are still operating. Between 15 April and 15 June, 19 organizations reached more than 470,000 people," U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.
